Med pot rules clear hurdle

The marijuana plant above probably was not the specific one that inspired rapper Afroman's Grammy-nominated 2002 hit, "Because I Got High." Either way, Afroman has now changed his stage name to OGAfroman.

The marijuana plant above probably was not the specific one that inspired rapper Afroman's Grammy-nominated 2002 hit, "Because I Got High." Either way, Afroman has now changed his stage name to OGAfroman.

San Diego  The California Coastal Commission approved San Diego’s new medical marijuana ordinance Thursday, adding parts of Barrio Logan and Sorrento Valley to the small list of neighborhoods where legal pot shops can open under the city’s strict regulations.

Lance Rogers, an attorney representing several dispensary applicants, said he expects Thursday’s approval to prompt multiple applications in those areas.

“This is fertile territory,” Rogers said.

The city’s ordinance, which was approved in March, makes it difficult to open dispensaries in most parts of the city because it requires them to open in a limited number of commercial and industrial zones. In addition, they must be at least 100 feet away from residential property and at least 1,000 feet from schools, playgrounds, libraries, parks, churches and facilities focused on youth activities.

Thursday’s approval technically opens every neighborhood along the coast to dispensaries, but city senior planner Dan Normandin said only Barrio Logan and Sorrento Valley have commercial or industrial properties that could potentially comply with the city’s regulations.

Having dispensaries possibly open in two additional neighborhoods is still welcome news to medical marijuana advocates, who expressed frustration last month when the city revealed that 24 of the 29 proposed dispensaries given preliminary OKs are concentrated in three central San Diego neighborhoods: Kearny Mesa, Mira Mesa and the Midway District near the Sports Arena.

The other five proposed sites include three near Qualcomm Stadium, one in Pacific Beach and one along state Route 94 in southeast San Diego — potentially leaving most of the city without dispensaries.

Barrio Logan and Sorrento Valley are also within City Council districts with relatively few applications, making it easier to open dispensaries there.

The city’s ordinance prohibits more than four dispensaries from opening in any council district. Barrio Logan is in District 8, where one application has received a preliminary OK, and Sorrento Valley is in District 1, where no applications have received an initial green light from the city.

Rogers said applicants would still face hurdles. Even if they find a suitable property in those neighborhoods, they must buy it or negotiate a lease.